Hot cup



H. E. LACY March 2s, 1941.

HOT CUP Filed Jan. 17, 1940 INVENTOR ATTORNEY5,

Patented Mar. 25, 1941 UNFE@ PTENT FME HOT CUI Herman E. Lacy, Chicago, Ill.

Implication January 17, 1946, Serial No. 314,317

9 Claims. (C1. 21S- 44) The ,present invention relates to a self-heated without detrimentally effecting or varying the apcontainer, and more particularly to an eleotripeafrahce of the unit yand without sacrice `of the cally heated device of the .type known as a hot essential structural properties and, in particular, cup. embodies a construction having throughout rigid The 'present invention contemplates the proviwall surfaces independent of the fusible sealing 5 sion of an electrically heated'cup of the rorematerial for their structural continuity. going rcharacter which is safe and e'ective in Yet other and further objects and Iadvantages :operation and which provides for the controlled of :the present invention will be apparent throughrelease yof disruptive energy which may be created out the course of the following specification,

0 due to improper 'operation of such device. Heatwherein: 10

ing cups of the present classhave, in the past, Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a hot cup empresented a serious hazard Iand many efforts have bodying the present invention a-nd having porbeen directed to the solution of this problem in tion-s broken .away to disclose the interior conorder to effect a more wide-spread and general struction.

use of the present units. In my United States Fig. 2 is a sectional detail View taken hcrizon- 15 Letters Patent, Serial No. 2,142,852,- issued Janutally on the line 2-2 of Eig. 1. ary 3, 1939, I have disclosed a hot cup construc- Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken vertically tion in which the spaced shell 'portions are posithrough the detail of Fig. 2 on the line 3 3 tively interlocked together by a construction dethereof.

signed to permit gradual release of disruptive Fig. 4 isa detail elevational view tak-en from 20 pressures set up therebetween. I have discovered, the right hand side of a hot cup embodying furhowever, that extremely cio-se manufacturing ther modification of the present invention.

tolerances are essential to permit full utilization Eig. 5 is a sectional detail view 'taken vertically of this dual function. through the construction of Fig. 4 :on the line It is an object of the present invention to obvi- 5-5 thereof. 25 ate the foregoing d-iculties `and to provide a Referring to the drawing wherein the presen-t completely non-hazardous self-heating cup -coninvention is disclosed more in detail, Fligs. 1 .to 3 struction in which the separate parts of the cup show :one preferred illustrative construction comare permanently joined :and sealed together prising an inne-r shell I2 and an outer shell il). against tall possibility of hazardous disruption The .inner shell comprises a lower irusto conical 30 :and wherein separate means Iis provided for the receiving cup or container i4 terminating at its release :of internal pressures `at a predetermined upper portion in la flared conguralti'on l'. pressure capable of being adequately retained by It should be noted .that the outer container lil the shell junctures. is of frusto conical form substantially through- It is a more particular object of the present out to receive the inner cup, as lshown in Fig. 1, invention to provide a rigid interlocking shell with the upper wall portions in continuous conconstruction las above combined with a pressure tact for a substantial axial distance, las shown, release responsive to predetermined heat condiadjacent the tions 'and so located as to be substantially directly The upper margin of the outer cup terminates 40 under the influence of 'the heat .adjacent :the heatin .a vlaterally outwardly extending short flange 40 ing element. In this connection, therefore, the i8 `and it will be seen that the marginal exinvention contemplates the location of the prestremity of the inner cup is formed closely theresure releasing construction at a point wherein `about as at 2li. More specifically, the sheet mathe heat adissipating iniluences normally remain terial of the inner shell is firmly forced into enconstant, irrespective of how the cup is mounted sagement with the flange i8 over the 12C-p portion 45 0r Supported, thereof land the outer extremity and extends It is `a yet further object of the present invendownwardly therefrom .a substantial axial distion to provide `an electrical hot cup construction, tance in firm, ,positive inter-engagement with the las above, provided withapredetermined pressure vertically extending wall of the inner shell as release passage located in accordance with the at 22. 50 foregoing principles and. adapted 'to be opened at Lt is extremely important to note that in acpredetermined. temperatures by the softening of cordance with this construction the two shells are, fusible sealing material. in effect, mechanically sealed at their upper rim,

The present invention particularly .contemeven though I prefer .to assure lthe hermetic naplates the `attainment of all the foregoing objects ture ofthe seal by brazing or soldering. The fore- 55 going mechanical interntting engagement may be obtained by any well-known forming steps, such as spinning, wherein the sheet material of the inner shell is caused to flow into tight-hitting conformation with the outer surface of the outer shell, as shown. It has been found that, in accordance with the present invention, the toregoing parts remain positively united runder all conceivable conditions of operation, and particularly under the action of excess pressures created existing within the space :between the two shells.

Such pressures may, and frequently do, upon carelessness in operation, result from the heatliberated by a heating element 24 embracing the inner cup and located within the aforesaid space. Terminals 2t also in this space provide conduit connections between the heating element 24 and prongs 23 sealed within the socket 30. Attention is particularly directed to the fact that the socket 3e comprises a concave cup-shaped member of general oval configuration, if viewed from the exterior of the container providing a receptacle for the extremity of a standard electrical plug connector. The spaced prongs 28 are received by the contacting portions of the plug connector and, in turn, are permanently connected interiorly of the shell with the conduits or leads 26.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the connector socket 33 is mounted in the wall of the outer shell and, to this end, the shell is provided with an oval opening corresponding with the marginal form of the cup or receptacle or socket 33 and defined by a radially outwardly projecting peripheral marginal flange 32. It will be seen, therefore, that the flange 32 functions to grippingly embrace the peripheral wall of the socket or cup 33. While I prefer to seal the juncture by solder or brazing metal as at 34, it is nevertheless apparent from the foregoing that independent mechanical engagement of the structural parts is obtained.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, it is extremely important to note that I have provided pressure release means comprising a relieved, recessed or notched portion 36 formed in the outwardly extending flange 32 adjacent the upper marginal extremity of the socket 3D. It will be noted that the notch 32 projects inwardly to a point approaching the vertical Wall of the outer shell, but nevertheless spaced therefrom. It will be further noted that the notch 36 projects inwardly substantially to the point wherein the curved portion 31 of the flange commences to merge with the part of the flange residing flatwise against the wall of the socket 30. Accordingly, therefore, the recess 36 provides a relief passage sealed by fusible material.

It is of extreme importance to note that the foregoing relief passage construction is located at a substantial distance from the bottom of the hot cup construction and at a point removed from the upper rim thereof. I have determined by long experiment that the disposal of the foregoing construction at points in the Vicinity of the lower portion of the socket 30 and therebelow are inoperative to effect a permanent, predetermined control of the pressure release. In other words, I have determined the definite elevational zone in which the foregoing structure must necessarily be arranged in a hot cup of the type disclosed and having a total six-inch elevation and have discovered that the venting construction should not be disposed closer than two and onehalf inches from the base if safety of operation is to be assured. While the following is proposed only as a theoretical explanation, I nevertheless conceive that the foregoing results from the variable and sometimes material dissipation of heat from the lower portion of the device and particularly to the base upon which the device rests. Such dissipation of heat may interfere with the fusion of the sealing material at an accurately predetermined temperature insufficient to create excessive pressures. The same factors pertain, although in lesser degree, with respect to l the upper portions of the cup and I accordingly dispose the pressure relieving construction substantially centrally of the hot cup and preferably opposite the central portion thereof opposite the windings of the heating element 24. By the .1

term centrally I mean the portions of the side wall between the top and bottom margins and spaced substantially from the top and bottom margins. In other words, it will be apparent that the term centrally includes a wide range of wall space between the top and bottom margins, preferably vertically opposite or adjacent a portion of the heating element.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that in operation the interior space between the shells i.;

remain continuously sealed. Assuming that negligent operation results in energizing of the heating element while dry, it rwill be apparent that the pressure will result within the aforesaid interior space increasing in effect as the tempera- @n ture unrestrainedly rises. At a predetermined temperature determined in accordance with the foregoing construction and the melting point of the fusible sealing metal, the latter substance will fuse and soften, permitting free egress of foregoing pressures, so that disruptive'separation .1

of the two shells cannot occur in an axial direction. It will be further evident that disruption in this direction, characteristic of previous known devices, has been productive of potentially disastrous results which the invention completely overcomes.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, I have disclosed a slight modification of the present invention, wherein I have provided a combination of lconnector socket 3U and receiving fiange '32 which are marginally disaligned at their upper extremity to provide a relatively minute space 40 therebetween at the time of initial assembly, This space becomes ultimately occupied by fusible sealing material 42 which functions in the manner of the previously described embodiment to release the pressures at a predetermined value.

It should be noted that the passage 4i] results from the assembly within the flange opening in the shell of a socket 30, the upper side wall of which is slightly iiattened, as at 44. This area need not be completely flattened and may merely vary slightly from the curvature of the flange 36 at this point to provide a relief space. It is to be understood that the figures are more or less diagrammatic in that the disclosure of the space 40 is somewhat exaggerated in order to more clearly exemplify the principles underlying the present invention. In general, a space, not substantially over a thousandth of an inch in transverse width, has been found adequate to gradually release the pressure.

It has been found that quite restricted passages di! are not only suitable but are preferable in that the pressure release occurs more gradually.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided an improved construction, obviating a long-standing and serious problem in the art. Thus, the present invention provides a hot cup construction comprising two shells axially interlocked against any possible compressive forces which may be internally created, in combination with pressure release means adapted to invariably release at a pressure below that at which disruption can occur.

In accordance with the present invention, the unit, while providing a fusible release point, nevertheless presents rigid, infusible outer supporting walls at all points, and is nowhere structurally dependent for resistance to mechanical impact or blows upon soft fusible material. It is of great importance that the present construction provides a release point so disposed that it is under the direct heating effect of the heat inducing element within the cup and accordingly relatively unsusceptible to variations occurring at the relatively remote extremities of the cup due to characteristic heat dissipating inuences.

It is to be noted that in accordance with the preferred embodiment disclosed, the pressure release point is located somewhat above the median pointl in the elevation of the hot cup. It has been found that in a cup of the type disclosed the operating characteristics reach a substantial degree of refinement when the device is so constructed. It will be understood, however, that analogous, if relatively inferior, results are obtained, even though the socket 3D and its associated parts be located upwardly or downwardly from the relative position shown in the drawing within reasonable limits so long as the relief point is spaced from the upper and lower margins of the cup.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacriiicing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A self-heating cup comprising an outer shell and an inner shell positively mechanically interlocked adjacent their upper marginal rim and providing an interior sealed space therebetween, a heating eiement within said space, and means for releasing abnormal pressures in said space comprising a connector socket mounted in said outer shell, an outwardly projecting flange embracing said socket, and a restricted passage between said fiange and socket at the upper extremity thereof, said passage being closed by relatively low-melting-point sealing material.

2. In a hot cup comprising inner and outer shells, coaxially joined together providing an internal sealed space therebetween, a heating element located in said space and extending axially, and means for releasing pressure in said space at a substantially predetermined value, said lastnamed means comprising a socket connector having outwardly extending wall portions mounted in said outer shell, said outer shell being provided with an aperture receiving said socket, said aperture being defined by an outwardly extending peripheral marginal flange snugly embracing said socket and radially coextensive with the radially extending walls of the socket over a substantial distance and a restricted outwardly extending passage between said flange and socket at the upper portion thereof, said passage being sealed.

3. In a cup comprising inner and outer shells coaxially joined together providing an internal sealed space therebetween, a heating element located in said space and extending axially, and means for releasing pressure in said space at a substantially predetermined value, said lastnamed means comprising a socket connector having outwardly extending wall portions mounted in said outer shell, said outer shell being provided with an aperture receiving said socket, said aperture being defined by an outwardly extending peripheral marginal flange, said flange supporting said socket and residing snugly against the said outwardly extending wall of the socket throughout its peripheral extent, a restricted passage between the wall of said socket and the adjacent fiange being closed by low melting point fusible material, said restricted passage being disposed substantially centrally of the axial extremities of said side wall and at a point substantially spaced from said extremities.

4. In a hot cup comprising inner and outer shells co-axially joined together providing an internal sealed space therebetween, a heating element located in said space and extending axially, and means for releasing pressure in said space at a substantially predetermined value, said lastnamed means comprising a socket connector having outwardly extending wall portions mounted in said outer shell, said outer shell being provided with an aperture receiving said socket, said aperture being defined by an outwardly extending peripheral marginal flange, said flange supporting said socket and residing snugly against the said outwardly extending wall of the socket throughout its peripheral extent, a restricted passage between the wall of said socket and the adjacent flange being closed by low melting point fusible material, said restricted passage being disposed substantially centrally of the axial extremities of said side wall and at a point substantially spaced from the lower extremity of the cup.

5. In a hot cup comprising inner and outer shells cc-axially joined together providing an internal sealed space therebetween, a heating element located in said space and extending axially, and means for releasing pressure in said space at a substantially predetermined value, said lastnamed means comprising means extending through an aperture in the wall of the outer shell and having an outwardly extending wall surface, said aperture being dened by an outwardly extending ange co-extensive with the wall and atwise thereto, and a relatively restricted passage at a predetermined point between said flange and wall and adapted to preferentially release internal pressure, said passage being spaced a substantial distance from the lower extremity of the cup and being closed by low melting point fusible sealing material.

6. In a hot cup comprising inner and outer shells cc-axially joined together providing an internal sealed space therebetween, a heating element located in said space and extending axially, and means for releasing pressure in said space at a substantially predetermined value, said lastnamed means comprising means extending through an aperture in the wall of the outer shell and having an outwardly extending wall surface, said aperture being defined by an outwardly extending flange co-extensive with the wall and iiatwise thereto, and a relatively restricted passage between said flange and Wall, said passage being spaced at a predetermined point a substantial distance from the lower extremity of the cup and being closed by low melting point fusible sealing material, said passage being formed by inwardly notching said flange at said predetermined point.

'7. In a hot cup comprising inner and outer shells co-axially joined together providing an internal sealed spaced therebetween, a heating element located in said space and extending axially, and means for releasing pressure in said space at a substantially predetermined value, said lastnamed means comprising means extending through the wall of the outer shell and having an outwardly extending wall surface, said aperture being defined by an outwardly extending ange co-extensive with the wall and flatwise thereto, and a relatively restricted passage between said flange and wall, said passage being spaced a substantial distance from the lower extremity of the cup and being closed by low melting point fusible sealing material, said passage being formed by a notch extending inwardly of the margin of said flange to a point spaced from the plane of the outer shell.

8. In combination, a hot cup having an outer shell and an inner shell axially positively interlocked at the upper marginal rim of the cup and sealed together to provide an internal space, a heating element in said space, and pressure releasing means disposed on said outer cup, said pressure release means comprising a restricted lpassage formed in said outer wall and closed by low melting point sealing material, said passage being located substantially centrally of the vertical wall of said outer shell at a point substantially spaced from the bottom of the cup.

9. In combination, a hot cup having an outer shell and an inner shell axially positively interlocked at the upper marginal rim of the cup and sealed together to provide an internal space, a heating element in said space., and pressure releasing means disposed on said outer cup, said pressure release means comprising a restricted passage formed in said outer wall and closed by low melting point sealing material, said passage being located substantially centrally of the vertical wall of said outer shell and opposite the heating element, but above the vertical median point of the cup.

HERMAN E. LACY.

CERTFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2, 256,258. March 25, 19in.

HERNAN E. LACY.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed spe ifioation of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second column, line 6, claim 5, before the word "Cup" insert -hot; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of lthe ease in the Patent Office.

signed and Sealed this 20th day of May, A. D. 19m.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents v N im Y CERTIFICATE CE CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2, 255,253. Maren 25, 19in.

, HERMAN E. LACY. It is hereb5r certified that error appears in the prin l asfollows: Page 5, sec- And that ted spe cification of the above numbered patent requiring correction ond Column, line 6, Claim 5, before the word "cup" insert -hot; the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may Conform to the record of the oase in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this 20th day of may A. D. 19m.

Henry VanrArsdale (Seal) Acting, Commissioner of Patents 

